THE BIOPSYCHOLOGICAL
MODEL
EXPLAINED BY : DAINE OLIVER T. BISMONTE
The BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL was first conceptualized
by George Engel in 1977, suggesting that to understand a
person's medical condition, it is not simply the BIOLOGICAL
factors to consider, but also the PSYCHOLOGICAL and
SOCIAL factors.
•Bio (physiological pathology)
•Psycho (thoughts emotions and behaviors such as
psychological distress, fear/avoidance beliefs, current
coping methods and attribution)
•Social (socio-economical, socio-environmental, and
cultural factors such as work issues, family
circumstances and benefits/economics)
Diagram of the
Biopsychosocial Model
The model specifically
examines how these
aspects play a role in
topics ranging
from Health and
Disease, to Human
Development.
Firstly, as proposed by Engel, it helps physicians
better understand their whole patient.
Considering not only physiological and medical
aspects but also psychological and sociological
well being.
Furthermore, this model is closely tied to health
psychology. Health psychology examines the
reciprocal influences of biology, psychology,
behavioral, and social factors on health and
illness.
While western medicine uses a biomedical
approach to health, health psychologists prefer to
evaluate health through a biopsychosocial lens.
Quite simply, this approach includes the
influences of biological factors, psychological
factors, and social factors when looking at overall
health.
The biopsychosocial approach focuses on the biology or
physiology underlying health; the psychology of
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influencing health; and
the ways that society and culture all influence health.
The biopsychosocial approach allows us to see how
health changes not only biologically, but how your inner
thoughts and feelings and the society around you
influences your perception and determination of health.
So, what’s the big difference between a biomedical
approach and a biopsychosocial approach?
Well, when we break it apart, it comes down to cells vs
societal influences. The biomedical approach takes health
from a purely biological perspective.
If this cell does this, then this is what happens to the body.
If this muscle does this, then this must happen. But take a
step back…is that really how health works?
The biopsychosocial approach suggests that there is more.
In 1977, George Engel argued that well-being includes
the effects of psychological, behavioral, and social
dimensions.
His biopsychosocial approach advocates for the necessity
of treating and thinking about illnesses by including the
social and behavioral factors that play a role in overall
health (e.g., poor eating habits and obesity, smoking,
stress/anxiety/depression, etc.).
Here is an example of how a biopsychosocial approach
differs from a purely biomedical perspective.
Smoking:
•BIOMEDICAL APPROACH: A biomedical
approach analyzes smokers from the biological
perspective and reasons for smoking: addiction or
heritability. However, we can see from a
biopsychosocial approach that there are many reasons
that people start smoking, and they are not necessarily
from a biological origin.
Here is an example of how a biopsychosocial approach
differs from a purely biomedical perspective.
Smoking:
•BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACH: People may
start smoking for PSYCHOLOGICAL reasons, such as
thinking it makes them less stressed or because of
personality traits (extroverts are more likely to smoke).
People may start smoking due to SOCIAL networks or
perceived cultural norms. Finally, we still must note that
addictions and heritability are BIOLOGICAL
components that can contribute to smoking behaviors.
SOURCE
S:
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Biopsychosocial_Model
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biopsychosocial_model
https://psychmuseum.uwgb.org/health/biopsychosocial/
